Flying from Frankfurt to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Frankfurt. Check out your options departing from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) when booking your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai.
When landing in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the primary hubs.
A direct flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai takes an average of 11 hours 15 minutes. The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which makes it 7 hours ahead of Frankfurt.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 35 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai is with Lufthansa at 20:55. Go for the first FRA to PVG departure with China Eastern Airlines at 13:35 if you want to get going early.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during a peak period in general.
To travel to China for tourism purposes, you will need a visa if you have a passport from Germany. However, visa rules are subject to change and you may need further documentation depending on the purpose and duration of your visit. Always check the most up-to-date guidelines before reserving your cheap flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai.
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, you can depart from Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Fly from FRA to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in one seamless trip.
Choose from a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai departing from FRA. Book your ticket with one of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Frankfurt Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Located around 14 kilometres from central Frankfurt, FRA can be reached in approximately 21 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport is roughly 37 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Frankfurt Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, check out these options when heading out from Frankfurt Airport:
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
HHN is about 121 kilometres from central Frankfurt. It takes 1 hour and 32 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, unwind in one of these hotels close to Frankfurt - Hahn Airport:
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to the centre of Shanghai takes around 49 minutes by car. It's approximately 56 kilometres away.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
As soon as your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in around 21 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai:
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai
At the moment, 253 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Frankfurt to Shanghai. The cheapest price for a return flight is 458 €. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book 10 months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Frankfurt to Shanghai.
June is the cheapest month for tickets from Frankfurt to Shanghai. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Frankfurt to Shanghai. You don't need to look every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai. Simply enter your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Shanghai based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai for August if you'd like to head to the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC to 34ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Frankfurt to Shanghai in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, browse our selection of hotels including:
The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Yu Garden are just the start of the top-rated attractions to add to your Shanghai travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Shanghai Tower.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Shanghai and explore at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.